The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
A party with all the CLASSICS
Scotland’s biggest retro music festival returns for its ninth edition – and the craving for classic hits has helped spark a creative renaissance.
Far from being stuck in the past, many of Rewind Scotland’s big-name performers have been rejuvenated by recording comebacks boosted by the colourful event’s success.
Headlined by Rewind newcomers Bryan Ferry and Foreigner, this year’s bumper line-up includes a batch of artists who are returning to Scone Palace after completing recent albums – including Hipsway, Belinda Carlisle, Midge Ure, Leo Sayer, The Skids and co-host Toyah.
There’s also debut turns from Lulu, The Stranglers, Paul Young, Eddi Reader, Lisa Stansfield, Bjorn Again, Primitives and Black Box, plus Phill Jupitus, Jimeoin and Emmanuel Sonubi on the comedy stage.
Stranglers frontman Baz Warne, 55, says the punk veterans didn’t think twice about joining the 30,000-capacity party, and insists he’s relishing the chance to turn the clock back at Rewind – while also keeping one eye on his credibility.
“We’re very fortunate we’re able to do retro fests but also play at up and
coming cutting-edge fests as well,” he says. There will be hits in our set. It’d be folly not to include them, but we’re a contrary bunch. We’re still writing new material and recording all the time, and a festival situation is an opportunity to stick in one or two new songs. It depends how long a slot we have, but if you do it properly you can pack an awful lot into an hour.”
Rewind veteran Toyah, 61, is looking forward to her role introducing her fellow artists.
“I’m used to singing so I find it a little bit daunting because I want to give every act the best build-up in the world,” she says. “Everyone wants to do Rewind – the audience is just an absolute joy and the setting is gorgeous. However, you can’t second guess what the weather’s going to do – I’ve done hailstorms in the past.”
Rewind Scotland, Scone Palace, Perth, July 19-21